What do you think the availability of RFAs like Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk and Ekman-Larsson will be this offseason? I fully expect them to be re-signed (especially Pietrangelo. You don't let a guy like that go) but they intrigue me all the same. And what're your thoughts on Keith Yandle?
- NickTheKid87

Pietrangelo is a franchise defenseman and Ekman-Larsson could become one in the near future. They are untouchable. Shattenkirk is rather unlikely to be available but he's signing Priority B for the Blues with Pietrangelo as Priority A.

The price tag on Yandle is very high. I would be willing to do Brayden Schenn and a first-round pick (yes, I know how deep the 2013 draft is) but not Couturier. Unfortunately, Maloney allegedly believes that Yandle (an established All-Star in his prime signed for multiple years to come) is worth something in the ballpark of what Poile was demanding for RFA Weber a year away from UFA status, and that's way too high of a price.

I thought he played decent in his time with the Flyers and was surprised he was sent down. I think Wellwoods emergance had something to do with it plus some backchecking issues i think.
- Stinkfitz

I think his lack of size and phsyical play is the biggest issue with Harry Z. Not his work ethic or his attitude.

I think Bouwmeester would cost an arm and a leg in trade, plus his contract is fairly large. I was looking at cheap alternatives that would solidify the defense short term, rather than trading for a big ticket when the team has obvious struggles and injury woes.
- Jsaquella

Good point. I would love to see Slava Voynov on the blueline then but, like you said, losing Grossmann isn't on the top of my list. I think he's also a big stabilizer for Bryz.

I thought he played decent in his time with the Flyers and was surprised he was sent down. I think Wellwoods emergance had something to do with it plus some backchecking issues i think.
- Stinkfitz

Harry Z had some discipline issues, too. Had a few really ill-timed and dumb penalties during his call up last year that seemed to get him in Laviolette's doghouse.

Zach Bogosian is solidly entrenched in Winnipeg but has yet to play this season due to a wrist injury, plus is an RFA after the season, and is going to get paid more based on potential (which is still sky high) rather than actual performance in the NHL.
- bmeltzer

Hmmm...after the Subban and MDZ deals, I'd like to think that wouldn't be the case. I'm not sure that GMs/owners can continue the kind of self control demonstrated in MTL and NY though.

Pietrangelo is a franchise defenseman and Ekman-Larsson could become one in the near future. They are untouchable. Shattenkirk is rather unlikely to be available but he's signing Priority B for the Blues with Pietrangelo as Priority A.

The price tag on Yandle is very high. I would be willing to do Brayden Schenn and a first-round pick (yes, I know how deep the 2013 draft is) but not Couturier. Unfortunately, Maloney allegedly believes that Yandle (an established All-Star in his prime signed for multiple years to come) is worth something in the ballpark of what Poile was demanding for RFA Weber a year away from UFA status, and that's way too high of a price.
- bmeltzer

Well I hope they come back down to Earth at some point because I don't think anyone is going to pay such a steep price.

Good point. I would love to see Slava Voynov on the blueline then but, like you said, losing Grossmann isn't on the top of my list. I think he's also a big stabilizer for Bryz.
- NickTheKid87

Doing the trade I suggested would be counting on Voynov or Martinez providing solid two way play and Luke Schenn being consistent, it's not an ideal trade, but I doubt we find that.

I think Bouwmeester would cost an arm and a leg in trade, plus his contract is fairly large. I was looking at cheap alternatives that would solidify the defense short term, rather than trading for a big ticket when the team has obvious struggles and injury woes.
- Jsaquella

I was hoping his horrendous contract would soften the asking price for him.

Yes. As I said, he'd literally be a throw in as a body to help out while Simmonds and Hartnell get healthy. As soon as they return, I'd be willing to Penner or trade him for a bag of pucks to avoid using the LTIR exemption.

The main target for me would be one of the two young defensemen.
- Jsaquella

Understood, but Penner has done some good things in his career and it's a shame he hasn't kept himself in shape.

i'd like to see them stay with the patchwork lineup. gus will eventually get a shot, and meszaros will come back. either they get a stop gap average player who likely won't make any real difference, or they overpay for some a high-end name (like a bouwmeester who's struggled). neither scenario seems like a good one.

I was hoping his horrendous contract would soften the asking price for him.
- Stinkfitz

Not the way defense is a premium right now.

Well I hope they come back down to Earth at some point because I don't think anyone is going to pay such a steep price.
- NickTheKid87

And I'd want a better two way defenseman if I'm giving up that 1st on top of Schenn for him.

If you could get Calgary to retain say, 2.68M of his cap hit. So the Flyers would be resonsible for 4M for him. I might be interested. But I'm sure getting them to do that drives up the cost in a trade.
- MJL

Exactly, MJL. The more salary Calgary would eat, the higher the trade cost. I'd almost be willing to see the Flyers absorb the whole contract if he'd be available at a reduced return. Almost but not quite.

J-Bo is massively overpaid for what he is. I see him as a player who can be defensively decent and a minutes eater if he sacrifices his offensive game, and a player (as we saw in Florida) who can put up points if he takes a lot chances and is rather spotty defensively. Either which way, he's not worth his full cap hit. Then again, he's also not worth trading a ton of assets to acquire in exchange for the Flames eating up to half of his cap hit to adjust his salary to what he'd be worth performance wise.

Harry Z had some discipline issues, too. Had a few really ill-timed and dumb penalties during his call up last year that seemed to get him in Laviolette's doghouse.
- Jsaquella

"Officials are just jealous of us Ivy League guys. "

- George Parros

Understood, but Penner has done some good things in his career and it's a shame he hasn't kept himself in shape.
- johndewar

Oh, yeah, from an individual standpoint, Penner's had some good seasons. But he still seems to irk coaches and his play has been really up and down. He's not a kid anymore, either. I believe he's 29 or 30, so it's not likely a maturity thing.

Doing the trade I suggested would be counting on Voynov or Martinez providing solid two way play and Luke Schenn being consistent, it's not an ideal trade, but I doubt we find that.
- Jsaquella

This isn't along the same lines as Voynov/Martinez but I know Jordan Leopold's name has been thrown around. His contract expires after this year as well.

"Officials are just jealous of us Ivy League guys. "

- George Parros
- johndewar

Brown is like the Kensington of the Ivy League

Exactly, MJL. The more salary Calgary would eat, the higher the trade cost. I'd almost be willing to see the Flyers absorb the whole contract if he'd be available at a reduced return. Almost but not quite.

J-Bo is massively overpaid for what he is. I see him as a player who can be defensively decent and a minutes eater if he sacrifices his offensive game, and a player (as we saw in Florida) who can put up points if he takes a lot chances and is rather spotty defensively. Either which way, he's not worth his full cap hit. Then again, he's also not worth trading a ton of assets to acquire in exchange for the Flames eating up to half of his cap hit to adjust his salary to what he'd be worth performance wise.
- bmeltzer

It's pay Peter or pay Paul so to speak. I'm definitely not interested in Bouwmeester at that Cap hit.

This isn't along the same lines as Voynov/Martinez but I know Jordan Leopold's name has been thrown around. He's contract expires after this year as well.
- NickTheKid87

Yeah, but that's another power play specialist. He'd be an upgrade on Foster in that role but I think the Flyers need someone who is better defensively as well as moving the puck, even if he's not a double-digit (in a full season) goal guy.

This isn't along the same lines as Voynov/Martinez but I know Jordan Leopold's name has been thrown around. He's contract expires after this year as well.
- NickTheKid87

Leopold wouldn't be a bad idea, either. It's not addressing the need at the head of the defense, but he's a decent puck mover and capable guy, although not much of a defensive guy

Leopold wouldn't be a bad idea, either. It's not addressing the need at the head of the defense, but he's a decent puck mover and capable guy, although not much of a defensive guy
- Jsaquella

I'd rather just utilize Gustafsson than give up assets for a guy like Leopold.

It doesn't seem like there is anybody available that would help the Flyers without gutting the team. If that is the case, isn't best just to ride it out this year even if they are in the bottom of the league?

Yeah, but that's another power play specialist. He'd be an upgrade on Foster in that role but I think the Flyers need someone who is better defensively and can move the puck, even if he's not a double-digit (in a full season) goal guy.
- bmeltzer

Alright I'm just gonna start throwing out names, rapid fire. Give me a nod if you like a guy and we'll go from there:

It doesn't seem like there is anybody available that would help the Flyers without gutting the team. If that is the case, isn't best just to ride it out this year even if they are in the bottom of the league?
- psuhockey

I was actually looking at some of the defensive units of teams on CapGeek and the Flyers actually don't have it all that bad.

I'd rather just utilize Gustafsson than give up assets for a guy like Leopold.
- bradleyc4

Yeah, that's a valid argument. I actually forgot he's back playing for a minute.